Though Christmas is still more than a month away, many store chains and online merchants already have "out of stock" signs up for the season's most-wanted gifts.

Toys 'R' Us on Tuesday said it won't have T.M.X. Elmo in any of its stores on Black Friday. But on Wednesday, the toyseller told CNNMoney.com that it now expects to get Elmo shipments on a regular basis and will have the product in stores over Thanksgiving holiday weekend.